A commoner dines at Sly’s Midtown Saloon and Grill, Sheboygan, Wis.

I chose my next stop in the Sheboygan Series of blog posts for a couple of simple reasons. 

First, despite (or because of?) its name, Sly’s Midtown Saloon and Grill always appeared to me to be somewhat of a dive bar institution in the heart of Sheybogran’s downtown “strip” on 8^th Street.  Just walking up to the entrance gives you the impression that the business has been her for a long, long time. 

Second, where are you going to find a better looking and better tasting bratwurst platter in all of Sheboygan?

I rest my case. 

Let me step back for a moment and touch upon what makes the saloon part of Sly’s Midtown Saloon and Grill so appealing. 

Don’t let the description of the place on TripAdvisor fool you.  Unless they’ve remodeled very recently, I’m guessing this décor goes back several decades.  And I’m totally OK with that.  As far as dive bars go, give me a little worn and dimly lit any day.  Perhaps the “remodeling” refers to the 50-inch TVs on the wall for prime sports viewing.  But keep the light fixtures and that brick wall intact, please. 

The bar itself is one of Sly’s standout features, reportedly measuring 69 feet long from end to end, with enough turns and angles to accommodate a nice-sized grill station behind the far end.     

Speaking of the grill, I always preferred to sit with it in view whenever I visited Sly’s.  Most of the regulars – from old codgers to young hipsters – tended to migrate toward the front of the bar, so if I wanted quiet time, I’d enjoy my pre-dinner Old Fashioned while smelling the deliciousness coming off the grill. 

And that brings us back to this double brat plate – my go-to order at Sly’s Midtown Saloon and Grill.  It is the Bratwurst Capital of the World, after all, and this special shows you why.  Two brats fresh from Sheboygan’s own Miesfield Meats, smothered with sauerkraut and served on a Sheboygan hard roll.  It’s served with sides of baked beans and some excellent homemade potato salad, all for just $6.50.  You can hardly afford not to try it. 

Frankly, all of Sly’s menu items I tried were dirt cheap but delicious.  You really can’t go wrong with any burger, sandwich or appetizer (expect whatever you order to be fried) you get here.  And the drinks are downright affordable as well, served by friendly and knowledgeable bartenders.  All things considered, it’s easy to see why Sly’s Midtown Saloon and Grill became my favorite watering hole in downtown Sheboygan.  Seek it out if you’re in town.  Look for the old sign on the west side of the street.